More than 90 percent of Dakota County's water supply comes from groundwater. While groundwater in Dakota County is plentiful, it is not unlimited. In 2022, we used more than 30 billion gallons of groundwater in Dakota County. That's enough to fill the Empire State Building 108 times.
Local communities use up to five times the water in summer months compared to winter months. This increase is largely tied to lawn irrigation. But, there are simple ways you can reduce water use while still maintaining a beautiful yard.
Learn ways you can save water in your yard. Then, take the Water Wise Pledge to put your newfound knowledge into action. Future generations, and your wallet, will thank you.
Complete the Water Wise Pledge Form
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Experts estimate 50 percent of the water used outdoors is wasted. A single broken sprinkler head can waste 25,000 gallons in a six-month irrigation season. And just because your city has an odd-even watering ordinance, doesn't mean that you should water every other day.
Adjust when you water
Follow your city or township's ordinance, and water only during the early morning or late evening hours. This reduces water lost to evaporation. Efficiently watering can reduce water usage by 15 percent, or nearly 7,600 gallons each year. Learn more at the University of Minnesota Extension's
Water-Saving Strategies for Home Lawns page.
Watch the weather
Lawns only need 1 inch of water (including rain) per week. Smart irrigation controllers save water by automatically adjusting irrigation scheduling based on weather. Save up to 15,000 gallons annually by using a WaterSense-labeled smart irrigation controller. For more information, go to the EPA's
WaterSense Labeled Controllers page.
Your city could help offset the controller cost. Visit the following city websites to see rebates available for these water-saving devices.
Perform a monthly sprinkler spruce up
Check your irrigation system parts. This includes sprinkler heads, valves and controllers for breaks and leaks. Look for sprinkler heads that do not pop up fully or are tilted. Redirect sprinkler heads, so they are not watering any hard surfaces. You could be losing up to 25,000 gallons over a six-month irrigation season due to leaks.
Learn how to spruce-up your sprinkler on the EPA's
Sprinkler Spruce-Up page.
Cycle and soak
Watering too much keeps grass roots short and leaves them unable to handle periods of drought. Improve your lawn's drought resilience by following the
cycle and soak method. Wet soil to a depth of 6–8 inches, allowing time for water to infiltrate soils. Then, wait a week to water again. Program your Smart Controller to make this process happen each time you irrigate.
Reimagine your lawn
Native, regionally appropriate plants require little water beyond normal rainfall. Kentucky Bluegrass (our most common turf variety) is not native to our region.
Fine fescue grass species thrive in our climate with very little irrigation required.
Reimagine Your Lawn to include grass varieties that are native to our region, requiring less water, mowing and fertilizer.
Install native landscaping or rain gardens
Water running off your landscape and roof becomes stormwater runoff that can harm local water bodies as it picks up pollutants. Raingardens preserve water on your landscape. They help reduce stormwater runoff and the need for supplemental irrigation. For more information, see the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District
Landscaping for Clean Water Program.
Harvest rainwater
Aerate, mow higher and leave clippings on the lawn
Simple acts make a big difference.
- Aerating your lawn every other year. It prevents soil compaction (improving root growth) and helps water infiltrate.
- Leaving grass clippings on your lawn. It provides natural fertilizer, minimizes runoff and improves soil quality.
- Maintain a 3-inch mower height. This keeps soils cooler, shades weed seeds and allows deeper root establishment, making your lawn more drought resistant.
Learn more on the University of Minnesota Turfgrass Science Team's
Mowing practices for healthy lawns.
Get the word out
Program partners can help spread the word with the 
Lawn Water Wisdom Toolkit.